Violet had asked for a dog for as long as her parents could remember.
“Hey Violet, how was school today?” her dad would ask.
“Good! Can we get a dog?”
Every birthday wish, every holiday, every casual conversation — the answer was always the same. “Puppy!”
But the answer from her parents was always a heartbreaking no.
Not because they didn’t want to say yes, but because of Violet’s severe dog allergy. Even brief interactions could lead to difficult allergic reactions. It wasn’t just about not having a dog at home, they had to actively avoid them in public, too.
That was hard, especially when Violet’s younger sister, Maisy, could pet dogs freely, while Violet stood back and watched.
Still, Violet’s love never faded. She had bonded early with Bailey, her grandparents’ Shih Tzu. Her first word was “Dog.” She followed Bailey everywhere and laughed more with him than anyone else.
And it wasn’t just Bailey, she loved all dogs. Every walk, every shelter window, every wagging tail made her eyes light up. But her allergy made those moments short and rare.
Her parents began to hope. Some purebred dogs are known to be hypoallergenic. And though buying from a breeder would be easy, rescue mattered more to Violet’s family and to Violet herself.
So they started the search.
It wasn’t easy. Emails, calls, shelter visits, nothing felt just right until Michelle called.
“I think I found her. Her name is Chloe. She’s a Maltipoo, a hypoallergenic rescue from West Texas.”
She was 2-3 years old, great with kids, loved car rides, and was already in foster care. Everything about her sounded like a dream.
Violet’s dad could barely contain the joy.
“This is the best day of my life.”
The countdown began. Their dream was coming true, and this time, everyone could breathe easy.
Three more days till Chloe arrived. The house was buzzing with excitement. “This room is a mess,” Dad joked, “We’re not bringing Chloe home to this dump!” The girls sprang into action; folding clothes, organizing toys, making a cozy space just for her.
Shopping day came next. At the pet store, Violet held up a tiny collar with a diamond charm. “This one,” she said. “It’s special.” Her sister, Maisy, picked out a pink harness. “She needs to walk in style.” Their bag was filled with treats, toys, and everything a new dog could need.
Two days left. Then one.
And finally, the car pulled up.
Chloe was even smaller than they imagined. She is a shy, gentle dog with soft white fur and eyes that search for safety. As soon as Violet knelt down, Chloe’s tail gave a cautious wag. And just like that, she knew. This was her family.
Her dad knelt beside her, quietly taking it all in those weeks of calling rescues, waiting for the right one. Chloe had been worth every second.
That night, Chloe curled beside Violet, her little body finally at peace. No sneezes, no allergies, just happiness.
Sometimes the wait feels endless. But when the right soul finds your family, it all makes sense. Chloe wasn’t just a birthday gift, she was a promise kept. A dream fulfilled. A best friend found.
